LMIA-Based Work Permit Canada.
Strategic guidance for Canadian employers hiring temporary foreign workers and applicants seeking an employer-specific work permit supported by a positive Labour Market Impact Assessment.
Understand Canada LMIA Requirements.
An LMIA-based work permit usually connects two separate applications. The employer must first show why hiring a temporary foreign worker is justified; the worker then applies for authorization to work in Canada.
Genuine Canadian Business
The employer must demonstrate business legitimacy, a genuine job and the ability to meet employment obligations.
Labour Market Need
The LMIA application addresses recruitment efforts and whether qualified Canadians or permanent residents are available.
Appropriate Wage Stream
The offered wage and work location help determine the applicable LMIA stream and its requirements.
Qualified Foreign Worker
The worker must meet work permit requirements and show they can perform the offered position.
Choose Your LMIA Role.
The employer and worker have different responsibilities. Choose your position to see the preparation focus that applies to you.
Build A Credible LMIA Application
Confirm the LMIA stream, business legitimacy, genuine job need, prevailing wage, recruitment activity and employment conditions before submitting to Service Canada.
Check Your LMIA Fit.
Before committing to an LMIA application, confirm that the job, employer, recruitment plan and worker profile can be positioned together under the correct program stream.
Established Canadian Employers
The business is actively operating and can support the offered employment.
- Business legitimacy evidence
- Operational and financial capacity
- Compliant employment conditions
Genuine Recruitment Needs
The position reflects a real labour need and the employer can complete the required recruitment process.
- Credible job requirements
- Applicable advertising efforts
- Documented recruitment results
Qualified Foreign Workers
The proposed worker’s experience and background support their ability to perform the role.
- Relevant skills and experience
- Supportable employment history
- Work permit eligibility
Prepare Your LMIA File.
Use this private checklist to see whether the employer-side evidence is taking shape. Exact documents and recruitment rules depend on the applicable stream and current program instructions.
Follow LMIA Permit Steps.
A coordinated sequence keeps the employer application and worker application connected without treating them as the same decision.
Confirm The Correct Stream
Assess whether an LMIA is required and identify the applicable Temporary Foreign Worker Program stream.
Complete Required Recruitment
Advertise and document recruitment according to the current rules for the selected stream.
Submit The LMIA Application
Present the business, job, wage, recruitment results and supporting evidence to Service Canada.
Apply For Work Permit
After a positive LMIA, the worker submits a separate employer-specific work permit application.
Compare LMIA Permit Streams.
The offered wage, occupation, industry, location and hiring purpose can change the stream and requirements. Choose the stream before building the file.
High-Wage Positions
Positions at or above the applicable provincial or territorial wage threshold follow high-wage stream requirements.
View official stream ↗Low-Wage Positions
Positions below the applicable wage threshold follow low-wage requirements, including stream-specific restrictions and obligations.
View official stream ↗Global Talent Stream
Certain innovative companies or in-demand highly skilled positions may be assessed under the Global Talent Stream.
View official stream ↗Permanent Residence Support
Some employers use an LMIA application to support a worker’s permanent residence pathway, subject to the relevant rules.
View official stream ↗Verify Current Requirements.
Wage thresholds, recruitment rules, caps and refusal-to-process measures can change. Always confirm the applicable official program instructions before advertising or submitting.
Meet LMIA Employer Obligations.
LMIA responsibility continues after approval. Employers must provide the agreed employment conditions and remain prepared for compliance reviews or inspections.
Respect The Job Offer
Provide wages, duties and working conditions that are substantially the same as those presented in the approved case.
Preserve Supporting Records
Keep required recruitment, payroll, employment and business documents for the applicable compliance period.
Follow Workplace Laws
Meet federal, provincial or territorial employment standards and temporary foreign worker protections.
Separate Both Decisions
A positive LMIA does not guarantee work permit approval, entry to Canada or permanent residence.
Answer LMIA Permit Questions.
Clarify who applies, what a positive decision means and how the employer and worker applications connect.
Discuss your LMIA case →The Canadian employer—or an authorized representative acting for the employer—submits the LMIA application. The foreign worker does not apply for the LMIA.
It generally confirms that the employer demonstrated a need for a temporary foreign worker and that no Canadian citizen or permanent resident was available for the position.
No. The worker must submit a separate work permit application and meet all applicable requirements. IRCC makes the work permit decision.
No. Some workers hold open work permits, and some employer-specific work permits are LMIA-exempt under the International Mobility Program.
An employer-specific permit lists employment conditions. A worker generally needs proper authorization before changing the employer, occupation or other permit conditions.
Plan Your LMIA Case.
Connect the business need, recruitment evidence, job offer and work permit strategy before the process begins moving.